Check out the many things going on in the Capital City
The Olympics are off and running (jumping, swimming and soaring) in Paris. You can celebrate Peruvian Independence Day this weekend. Harry Potter’s birthday is July 31. And on Aug. 12, Leon County Schools are back in session. Let’s seize our opportunities and celebrate the joys of summer before it slips away.
Also coming up: National Hamburger Day (7/28), National Chicken Wing Day (July 29), National Chicken and Waffles Day (July 30) and National Watermelon Day (Aug. 3).
We’ve got cooking classes, live music, trivia night, farmers’ markets and a new brewery event. Grab suntan lotion, drink lots of water and stay cool. Lots to do, Tallahassee.
If you have any activities to add, please comment here or email me at [email protected]
Pretend you’re in Paris and begin your day with croissants. These are at Au Peche Mignon. You can also get freshly-baked croissants at Little Paris. Photo / Au Peche Mignon
* Even if you’re sitting at home and not by the Seine, you can savor a few Parisian-inspired pleasures while watching this inspiring event (the opening ceremonies are stunning!). Enjoy favorites such as crepes, duck breast l’orange and crème brûlée at Little Paris Tallahassee, 1355 Market St. (850-765-7457). You can also just pick up croissants or pan au chocolat at the restaurant (allow about 20 minutes for baking). On a recent trip to France, one of our greatest pleasures was waking up to croissants and cafe au lait. You can also load up on plain or chocolate croissants and other French pastries at Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop, 220 N. Duval St. ( 850-668-5533).
Along with cooking classes, Jessica Bright McMullen offers videos on her Facebook page with cooking tips. Photo / KitchenAble Cooking School.
* Cooking tips: If you can’t make it to a cooking class, check out these informational videos from chef Jessica Bright McMullen, owner of KitchenAble Cooking School. The videos, on her Facebook page, cover topics ranging from making quick, tiny tacos to the ultimate cookie hack. 850-264-2308.
Kim Jones, co-owner of Florida Georgia Citrus in Monticello shares a sip of his orange juice at the Tallahassee Farmers’ Market. I confess that I order their Satsuma orange juice pretty much every week. Photo / Tallahassee Table
* Farm to table: Here’s a great way to start your Saturday. Stop by our farmers’ markets, where you’ll find a bevy of seasonal produce along with meats, cheese and a wide variety of local products. Check out our guide at https://www.tallahasseetable.com/tallahassees-farmers…/
* Downtown market: You’ll find fresh produce and other food, homemade dishes and crafts at Downtown Market Tallahassee FL, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays (March through November) at Park Avenue.
* Get a really early start on the holidays. Westside Craft Market is presenting a “Christmas in July” event from 5 to 9 p.m. July 27 at Lake Tribe Brewing Company, with food, music, crafts, dogs and a new beer release. It’s at 3357 Garber Dr.
* Rumba: Stop by VeneBitestally1 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. on July 27 for Latin night — and the rumba — with DJ Hender. Enjoy Venezuelan dishes and beer; $10 for men and free for women; ages 21+. Venebites is at 217 E. Third Ave.; 850-727-7641; https://www.venebites.com/
There’s a weekend of entertainment to celebrate Peruvian Independence Day at Cafe de Martin. Photo / Cafe de Martin.
* Independence Day: Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day weekend at Cafe de Martin with traditional foods and live music. The event started on July 26 but continues with 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐢𝐣𝐨𝐨 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟕 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, July 27th, there are mariachis from noon to 2 p.m. 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐚 performs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Cafe de Martin is at 2743 Capital Circle NE; 850-900-5969. For more information, visit www.cafedemartin.com
This colorful train setting is the home of Sweet Boozy Cakes Bakery and Cafe. Photo / Tallahassee Table
* Summertime Paint and Sip: Sweet Boozy Cakes Bakery and Cafe, in the Railroad Square Art District, is hosting the event from 1 to 4 p.m. on July 27. A $30 advance ticket ($35 at the door) covers art instruction, all supplies, and a $5 instant discount. Ticket holders will receive complimentary ice water and cold lemonade. Sweet Boozy’s delectable desserts will be available for purchase. Tickets on Eventbrite or call 850-692-3038.
* Cooking class: Chef Fe — Felisha Williams Nicholson — teaches a class called “”Flavors of the Coast,” with recipes from her new cookbook at Browns Kitchen. Dishes include Honey Sriracha Salmon, Chermoula Shrimp & Vegetable Skewers and Easy Key Lime Pie – from 6 to 8 p.m. July 30. The class is $65 per person. 2551 Capital Circle NE; 850-385-5665.
* Music for Food: “Mostly M’s,” a Music For Food concert is at 4 p.m. Sunday, July 28, at Grace Lutheran Church, 2929 Miccosukee Road. Music for Food is an all-volunteer, musician-led initiative to fight hunger in the community. The concert will feature a collection of four pieces for string quartet by Felix Mendelssohn. The concert is free but they’ll be collecting nonperishable food and monetary donations – 100 percent of the funds raised will benefit the FSU Food for Thought Pantry. Donations may be made by cash, check payable to the FSU Foundation, or online at https://dsst.fsu.edu/foodpantry Suggested donation is $20/adults, $5/students.
* Coffee amid the flowers: The Frother’s Daughter Coffee Truck will be serving their lineup of java from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. July 30 at Tallahassee Nurseries, 2911 Thomasville Rd. Shop and sip.
* Happy Birthday Harry: The beloved wizard, Harry Potter, is celebrating his 44th birthday on Wednesday, July 31. Here are some ways you and the kiddos can join the fun. The Wakulla County Public Library is hosting “A Night at Hogwarts” from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight (7/26) at 4330 Crawfordville Hwy; free. The library will be transformed with decorations, photo ops, costumes and a themed snack.
* Lucky opening: Lucky Goat Coffee will be opening its sixth location at 7 a.m. July 27 in the former home of Vertigo Burgers, 1395 E. Lafayette St. in Indianhead. Lucky Goat has locations in Bannerman Crossings, Midtown, on Capital Circle, the Market District and South Adams Street.
* Hogwarts treats: The Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop will be celebrating Harry’s birthday next week in a sweet way. Look for macarons in flavors for each Hogwarts House. For Gryffindor, there’s Butterbeer; Slytherin, watermelon mint Gillywater; Hufflepuff, canary cream – pineapple and marshmallow cream; Ravenclaw, Fizzing wizbees – that’s Fizzing candy in sherbet. Au Péché Mignon is at 220 N. Duval St.; 850-668-5533.
Harry Potter fans, time to celebrate the boy wizard (now turning 44) with a Butterbeer at RedEye Coffee. Photo / RedEye Coffee
* How enchanting: RedEye Coffee will be celebrating Harry Potter’s birthday with the favorite drink of the wizarding (and possibly muggle) world: Butterbeer. Whether you order Butterbeer cold brew, latte, or frappe, your beverage will come with a chocolate frog and golden snitch sprinkles Available from 7/29 to 8/3. 1129 Thomasville Rd. (850- 425-5701)
* Wine and song: Chanteuse Corine Samwel will be performing at the The Wine House on Market Street with the band, Douce Ambiance, on Aug. 2, 30, Sept. 27 and Oct. 4. The show starts at 7 p.m. Enjoy German food and a global wine selection. Cover: $10. 1355 Market St.; 850-893-2254.
* Cooking class: Thai bash with Chef Siri (the menu features Thai barbecue pork skewers with sticky rice, papaya salad, and “Crying Tiger” (Thai Beef Salad) from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 5 at The Prepared Table, Bannerman Crossings, 3425 Bannerman Rd Suite 104; 850-354-8352. Cost: $80.
A trio of spring rolls (pork/vegetable lumpia, pork-shrimp and pork crab), classic Chinese barbecue spare ribs with steamed rice and pickled vegetables were two of the items on Mobi’s recent Friday lunch menu. Photo / Tallahassee Table
Restaurant highlights
* Lunch rave: Here’s one of the best deals in Tallahassee: Friday lunch from chef/restaurateur, Viet Vu. I enjoyed lunch there today and savored delicious wontons in garlic-chili broth, fat Char Siu spare ribs with a lip-smacking barbecue sauce and an assortment of crisp spring rolls. Viet, who owns MoBi food truck and catering company, serves Friday lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at South Station, 1210 S. Adams St.
Viet also offers a $8.88 plate each Friday – this week it was Cajun meatloaf. The menu changes every week but there’s always an $8.88 special on Fridays.
I ran into Danny Aller, co-founder of the Tallahassee Beer Society, and his daughters at lunchtime. Danny, a regular customer, raved about the food. Here’s what he had to say:
” The absolute best place to get lunch on a Friday, currently in Tallahassee is with Viet at South Station – and it’s really not even close,” Danny said. “What he is doing by switching up that menu every week with unique dishes you can’t get anywhere else in town — and also offering one for under $9 every week — really makes him a hidden gem.
“He’s also partnering with a well-known local barbecue truck from Wakulla County called Autrey’s barbecue, and mixing in Asian fusion with Southern style barbecue … some of the meals have been pretty mind blowing.” Danny said. “I will probably regret sending everybody there when the next time I go he’s sold out by noon, but people really should experience this food while they have a chance. Oh, they are also part of the Beer Society Membership Card, so you get 10 percent off on each visit!”
Viet offers occasional Family Meals. The current one is the Cajun meatloaf with mac ‘n cheese and green beans. Sunday’s the deadline for ordering. 850-241-3322; [email protected]
The Farmer’s Daughter bagel from Square Mug Cafe is one of the treats to look forward to when Square Mug starts serving brunch at Blue Tavern on Aug. 25. Photo / Square Mug Cafe
- Brunch bunch: If you were a fan of Square Mug, formerly in Railroad Square Art District — or if you’re just a fan of brunch — you can once again enjoy the bagel items and other goodies from Square Mug, this time at Blue Tavern, for Sunday brunch starting on Aug. 25. More here from Blue Tavern. Look for Square Mug favorites — and coffee. Blue Tavern now has an espresso machine. Blue Tavern is at 1206 N. Monroe St.; 850-815-8566.
* Chef News: Good news for patrons of Liberty Bar & Restaurant. One of the chefs at Black Radish, Tallahassee native Cody Cook (does he have the perfect name?), is now the head chef at Liberty (both restaurants are from Seven Hills Hospitality Group). All the best, Cody!
Photo / Tallahassee Table
